Extraction, identification and antitumor activity in cell cultures of cubebin isolated from dry seeds Piper cubeba (Piperaceae).

The Pipercubeba, it is one spice, widely consumed in Europe, which has several bioactive molecules, between those a lignan named cubebin. Cubebin has several known biological activities, such as analgesic activity and anti-inflammatory, trypanocidal activity, leishmanicidal and antitumor activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative activity "in vitro" cubebin in eight different human tumor cell lines. It was fully characterized by IR analysis, NMR, mass spectrometry, DSC, TGA, residual solvent and elemental analysis. The antitumor activity of cubebin was evaluated "in vitro" on eight different human tumor cell lineages. Cubebin showed GI50≤30µg/mL for lineage cell U251 (glioma CNS), 786-0 (kidney), PC-3 (prostate), HT-29 (colon rectum). For K562 cells (leukemia), cubebin presented GI50≤to 4.0mg/mL. For the other lineages cells, MCF-7 (breast) and NCI-H460 to cubebin can be considered inactive because of GI50>250mg/mL. Analyzing the selectivity index for cubebin, it can be observed that high selectivity of cubebin to K562 lineage cells (leukemia). Analyzing the cytotoxic potential of cubebin was observed that probably acts cubebin altering metabolism, inhibiting cell growth - a cytostatic effect, showing no cytocidal effect on any lineage cell.

Assessing microplastic exposure of the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) on a remote oceanic island.

Microplastics (<5 mm) are a ubiquitous marine pollutant which are highly bioavailable to marine organisms across all trophic levels. Marine predators are especially vulnerable to microplastic pollution through direct and indirect ingestion (e.g., trophic transfer) due to their high trophic position. In particular, oceanic islands are more susceptible to plastic accumulation, increasing the relative number of microplastics in the environment that are available for consumption. The dynamics of microplastic accumulation in marine predators inhabiting remote islands, however, is sparsely documented. Here we describe microplastic exposure in the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) from the Madeira archipelago (Northeast Atlantic) using scat-based analysis. Microplastics were recovered from 18 scat samples collected between 2014-2021 and were characterized to the polymer level using Fourier-Transform Infrared (u-FTIR) spectroscopy. A total of 390 microplastic particles were recovered, ranging between 0.2-8.6 particles g-1 dry weight (mean 1.84 ± 2.14 particles g-1) consisting mainly of fragments (69 %) of various sizes and polymer composition (e.g., PE, PET, PS). Microplastic prevalence (100 % of samples analysed) was higher than what has been previously recorded using scat-based analysis in other pinniped species. Our results suggest that the levels of microplastic pollution in the coastal food-web in the Madeira archipelago are relatively high, placing higher-trophic level organisms at increased risk of microplastic consumption, including humans. This study provides the first insights into microplastic exposure to Madeira's monk seals that may contribute to future management decisions for the species and their long-term survival.

The antique genetic plight of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).

Disentangling the impact of Late Quaternary climate change from human activities can have crucial implications on the conservation of endangered species. We investigated the population genetics and demography of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), one of the world's most endangered marine mammals, through an unprecedented dataset encompassing historical (extinct) and extant populations from the eastern North Atlantic to the entire Mediterranean Basin. We show that Cabo Blanco (Western Sahara/Mauritania), Madeira, Western Mediterranean (historical range) and Eastern Mediterranean regions segregate into four populations. This structure is probably the consequence of recent drift, combined with long-term isolation by distance (R2 = 0.7), resulting from prevailing short-distance (less than 500 km) and infrequent long-distance dispersal (less than 1500 km). All populations (Madeira especially), show high levels of inbreeding and low levels of genetic diversity, seemingly declining since historical time, but surprisingly not being impacted by the 1997 massive die-off in Cabo Blanco. Approximate Bayesian Computation analyses support scenarios combining local extinctions and a major effective population size decline in all populations during Antiquity. Our results suggest that the early densification of human populations around the Mediterranean Basin coupled with the development of seafaring techniques were the main drivers of the decline of Mediterranean monk seals.

Carpooling Systems for Commuting among Teachers: An Expert Panel Analysis of Their Barriers and Incentives.

Sustainable mobility is a current challenge in our society. Research shows that carpooling systems are potential solutions that could mitigate environmental pollution and urban congestion and provide cost savings for their users. Despite their potential benefits, the levels of carpooling practices among some occupations could be improved. Teachers are suitable for carpooling experiences due to their specific working conditions (e.g., timetables, destinations changes, path matches); however, there is no research solely focused on teachers. Thus, the current research aimed to analyze the barriers and incentives for teachers using carpooling systems for commuting. A panel member was selected following the staticized group technique. Panelists were surveyed to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of carpooling. Results showed that fuel savings were considered by the expert panel as the most important incentive for carpooling. For short distances, carpooling was not considered the best commuting option. Additionally, the increase in travel time and loss of personal independence were identified as relevant barriers. Based on the opinions of experts, it can be concluded that carpooling barriers outweigh the incentives for the commuting of teachers. To promote carpooling practices, institutional mobility plans with advantages for carpoolers could improve the teachers' perceptions about carpooling. Future carpooling strategies should consider these results to promote incentives and address the identified barriers.

Disclosing proteins in the leaves of cork oak plants associated with the immune response to Phytophthora cinnamomi inoculation in the roots: A long-term proteomics approach.

The pathological interaction between oak trees and Phytophthora cinnamomi has implications in the cork oak decline observed over the last decades in the Iberian Peninsula. During host colonization, the phytopathogen secretes effector molecules like elicitins to increase disease effectiveness. The objective of this study was to unravel the proteome changes associated with the cork oak immune response triggered by P. cinnamomi inoculation in a long-term assay, through SWATH-MS quantitative proteomics performed in the oak leaves. Using the Arabidopis proteome database as a reference, 424 proteins were confidently quantified in cork oak leaves, of which 80 proteins showed a p-value below 0.05 or a fold-change greater than 2 or less than 0.5 in their levels between inoculated and control samples being considered as altered. The inoculation of cork oak roots with P. cinnamomi increased the levels of proteins associated with protein-DNA complex assembly, lipid oxidation, response to endoplasmic reticulum stress, and pyridine-containing compound metabolic process in the leaves. In opposition, several proteins associated with cellular metabolic compound salvage and monosaccharide catabolic process had significantly decreased abundances. The most significant abundance variations were observed for the Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase small subunit (RBCS1A), Heat Shock protein 90-1 (Hsp90-1), Lipoxygenase 2 (LOX2) and Histone superfamily protein H3.3 (A8MRLO/At4G40030) revealing a pertinent role for these proteins in the host-pathogen interaction mechanism. This work represents the first SWATH-MS analysis performed in cork oak plants inoculated with P. cinnamomi and highlights host proteins that have a relevant action in the homeostatic states that emerge from the interaction between the oomycete and the host in the long term and in a distal organ.

Mechanochemical Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization of Isoniazid and Pyrazinamide Co-crystals With Glutaric Acid.

The present work reports two novel pharmaceutical co-crystals; 2:1 isoniazid-glutaric acid (INHGA) and 2:1 pyrazinamide-glutaric acid (PGA). Isoniazid and pyrazinamide are key first-line drugs used for the treatment of tuberculosis. The co-crystals were produced via solid-state and solvent assisted grinding methods. Thermal characteristics of the samples were obtained using the differential scanning calorimetry, hot stage microscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses. The morphology of the powder samples by scanning electron microscopy, structural analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-rays diffraction ensured co-crystal formation. Thermal analyses confirmed the co-crystals with new melting transitions ranging between their respective starting materials. Unique morphologies of the co-crystal particles were clear in SEM micrographs. The formation of intermolecular interactions with the co-crystal former was confirmed by the FT-IR spectral band shifting and was supported by distinct PXRD patterns of co-crystals thereby authenticating the successful co-crystal formation. In vitro solubility evaluation of the synthesized co-crystals by HPLC suggested a remarkable increase in solubility of both INH and PZA in their respective co-crystals.

Effect of supplementation with organic and inorganic minerals on the performance, egg and sperm quality and, hatching characteristics of laying breeder hens.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with organic micro-minerals on egg production, egg quality, sperm quality and hatching of eggs of laying breeder hens. A total of 144 White Plymouth Rock hens and 36 Red Rhode Island roosters were used. For each treatment, birds were assigned to eight replicates with six hens and 12 replicates with one rooster. Birds were fed a basal diet (BD) containing only inorganic micro-minerals (10 mg Cu, 60 mg Fe, 70 mg Mn, 75 mg Zn and 0.3 mg Se per kg of diet) or a BD +500 g/ton of organic micro-mineral (OMM) product (2.5 mg Cu, 17.5 mg Fe, 20 mg Mn, 27.5 mg Zn and 0.080 mg Se per kg of diet) and BD +800 g/ton of OMM (4 mg Cu, 28 mg Fe, 32 mg Mn, 44 mg Zn and 0.128 mg Se per kg of ration). At 43, 44, 45 and 49 wks, egg production was greater with the BD +800 g OMM treatment than with the BD. Egg quality was not affected as a result of diet. Sperm viability was greater in roosters fed BD +800 g of OMM than those fed the BD. Fertility was greater for eggs from hens fed the BD +500 g OMM compared with BD. In conclusion, addition of organic minerals to the diet resulted in l an increased egg production and viability of rooster spermatozoa and egg fertility were greater with feeding of OMM.